California Auto Transport
The more you know about California auto transport before it comes time to move a car, boat, RV, SUV or other vehicle, the better off you'll be. You'll want to be armed with complete information about vehicle shipping so you can get the best deal and have the fewest headaches whether you're shipping a car to or from California or anywhere around the world.
Whether you're a collector or you've just purchased a vehicle from an online auction from an out of state owner, a number of California auto transport options are available for shipping a motor vehicle.
- Move the vehicle yourself – you could move your car, truck, RV or boat yourself of course by traveling to the pick up point and driving it back home or by renting or buying a trailer. If you're going to transport a vehicle by youself by towing it, you'll want to make sure the towing vehicle is up to the task and if you're driving the towing vehicle and transport trailer you'll want to make sure you're comfortable maneuvering it.
Your towing vehicle needs to have sufficient power and be designed to tow the weight of your load - including the weight of the trailer and the vehicle you're carrying together. You'll also want to take into consideration the types of road conditions and terrain you'll be traveling and the climate of the states you'll be passing through on your way to or from California.
- Driveaway service – you can hire a professional California driveaway service or just hire a private individual or have a friend drive the car for you to get it from point A to point B. You'll want to be wary of hiring a stranger you've never met unless it's a professional company licensed to do business in the state.
It always helps to get references or check backgrounds on any companies you hire to move your vehicle. You'll also want to be sure the vehicle is in sufficient operating condition to make the trip and make contingency plans in case the vehicle should need service en route to its destination. Finally, you'll need to keep in mind that you'll be adding mileage to the odometer and wear and tear to the vehicle by having it driven, so if the vehicle you're trying to get to or from California is a collectible you may want to rethink having it driven and reconsider your other auto transport options.
- Hire a Califonria auto transport or car shipping company – the number of California auto transport companies is growing as the demand for car shipping services grows. Additionally, auto transport is a service that's frequently needed to and from California due to California's large population of both people and vehicles, so you should have plenty of companies to choose from in your origin or destination area. California auto transporters offer a plethora of shipping methods and options, including the open trailer transport and enclosed vehicle transport.
California Auto Transport Services
Most vehicle transport carried out by professional California auto transport services is completed on a "door-to-door" basis on an open car carrier like those you may have seen on the highway. Just keep in mind that while you'll save money, your vehicle will be exposed to the elements, which may include harsh climate conditions while it's in transit. If you're transporting an especially valuable piece of equipment, the more expensive option of enclosed vehicle transport may be the way to go.
Enclosed container vehicle transport
Some professional California auto transport companies offer enclosed container car transport. In fact, some California car shippers specialize in extra protection while a vehicle is in transit. This is because of the large number of valuable and collectible vehicles that are shipped to and from the state of California. It's not uncommon to see exotic or antique autos as well as race cars, trucks, etc. while you're traveling around the state. Many of those vehicles had to be transported to California or will someday need to be moved out of state. If you choose this option you'll want to be familiar and compare the additional optional services provided by the transport company so you can select the shipper that best meets your needs and the needs of the vehicle you're transporting.
In addition to California auto transport companies, most CA long distance moving companies have the ability and the experience to transport vehicles. This option is most commonly selected when you're moving both your household and one or more vehicles you can't or choose not to drive to your destination. If you're moving your household goods in addition to a vehicle, this could be a relatively economical way of getting the benefit of enclosed vehicle transport. You can get multiple free estimates from moving companies as well as free estimates from auto transport companies through Moving California, so it's easy to compare prices between the different types of vehicle shipping.
